§ 45. Commander Viscount CURZONasked the Prime Minister whether any statement can be made with reference to the ironmoulders' strike; whether this strike is seriously interfering with the construction of railway wagons and better transit facilities for the people of the country generally; and whether the existence of this strike is having any material effect upon the cost of food and cost of living?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of TRANSPORT (Mr. Neal)I have been asked to answer this question. I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that there were conferences between the Engineering Employers' Federation and the three societies concerned throughout the whole of the 17th December. I have reason to believe that considerable progress was made. The meeting is being resumed today. The strike is obviously affecting railway companies generally, not only in regard to the construction of wagons bat in the maintenance of locomotives and other rolling stock. With regard to the last part of the question, I have consulted the Department concerned, and I have no information indicating that the strike has had any material effect on, the cost of living.